Didiza’s published list of farms for land reform causes panic among emerging farmers
24 October 2020
The plan by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), Thoko Didiza, to release 700 000 hectares of “underutilised or vacant state land” for agricultural purposes could potentially prejudice emerging farmers after it emerged that some farms on the published list were already underactive agricultural production.
To prevent further panic and ensure that affected farmers get the requisite assurance to proceed with their preparations for the forthcoming agricultural season unhindered, the DA will write to Minister Didiza and ask that she:
provides clarity on why productive farms have been listed;
confirm whether existing farm occupants were consulted on the government’s intention to place the property on the list;